Conflict and the Global Threat of Pandemics

Detection and control of emerging infections in conflict zones is a major public health challenge. The breakdown of civil society often leads to the collapse of health systems and sanitation, food insecurity, poor coordination among humanitarian agencies, and the subsequent emergence of diseases that can proliferate into global pandemics. Michele Barry will discuss how Ebola, polio, yellow fever, cholera, and Lassa fever have emerged during conflict in fragile states and what has been learned from the outbreaks to better predict and control other potential epidemics.